Working together to improve nutrition outcomes in Timor-Leste

Our goal

"To reduce the prevalence of stunting* in children under two through collective multi-sector action."

*Stunting is low height-for-age, a sign of chronic of undernutrition reflecting the cumulative effects of long-term nutritional deprivation.

Stunting in Timor-Leste

Despite improvements, malnutrition remains widespread in Timor-Leste, in rural and urban communities and across both rich and poor households. Along with Burundi and Eritrea, Timor-Leste has the 3rd highest prevalence of stunting in the world. 1

Nationally, half of all children under five years are stunted.2

Stunted children complete 4.6 less grades in school compared to children who are not stunted.3

As adults, stunted children earn 21% less in adult wages compared to children who are not stunted.3

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Stunted children are at increased risk of developing chronic diseases (e.g hypertension or diabetes) later in life.4

Preventing stunting has inter-generational human, social and economic benefits for individuals, their households and the nation.

To have a sustained impact on stunting we need to work better together

A multi-sector approach is needed

The causes of stunting are complex and diverse and not just the responsibility of one sector. Independent of income and access to health services, stunting can be reduced through the following factors.5

What is Hamutuk doing?

Hamutuk is trying something new

We are taking an evidence-based approach to improve the quality and coverage of nutrition promoting interventions, and utilising innovative technology to promote social and behavioural change.

1

We are strengthening nutrition capacity across partners

Hamutuk is working to promote a nutrition enabling environment by strengthening our partners’ capacity to deliver nutrition promoting interventions.

2

We are working to improve a range of nutrition promoting behaviours

Hamutuk is using a rigorous research design to develop a comprehensive behaviour change methodology, aimed at identifying a range of nutrition promoting behaviours and linking those with behavioural triggers.

3

We are using innovative technology to foster multi-sector collaboration

Hamutuk is developing an innovative mobile and online platform to leverage the collective efforts of our partners to achieve greater results. The platform also speeds up the monitoring and evaluation cycle to provide faster insights into interventions that are having the greatest impact.

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1

We are strengthening nutrition capacity across partners

Hamutuk is working to promote a nutrition enabling environment by strengthening our partners’ capacity to deliver nutrition promoting interventions.

2

We are working to improve a range of nutrition promoting behaviours

Hamutuk is using a rigorous research design to develop a comprehensive behaviour change methodology, aimed at identifying a range of nutrition promoting behaviours and linking those with behavioural triggers.

3

We are using innovative technology to foster multi-sector collaboration

Hamutuk is developing an innovative mobile and online platform to leverage the collective effort of our partners to achieve greater results. The platform also speeds up the monitoring and evaluation cycle to provide faster insights of interventions that are having the greatest impact.

"Reducing poverty and hunger by improving fisheries and aquaculture. "

World Fish

Government Partners

Manufahi - Municipal Administration

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

Ministry of Education

Ministry of Health

Ministry of Public Works

Ministry of Social Solidarity

National Council for Food Security, Sovereignty and Nutrition in Timor-Leste (KONSSANTIL)

Non-Governmental Organisations

Alola Foundation

Cooperativa Café Timor (CCT)

Feto Asaun ba Sustenabilidade (FAS)

Health Alliance International

Luta ba Mudanza (LBM)

Luta ba Futuru (LBF)

Grupu Kilbur Feto Malu (GKFM)

Non-Governmental Organisations

Marie Stopes International

Mercy Corps

Ra'es Hadomi Timor Oan (RHTO)

TOMAK - Farming for Prosperity

World Fish

WaterAid

Where are we working?

We are getting started in Holarua, Manufahi.

Hamutuk is commencing work in Holarua. The village of Holarua is located in a mountainous area in the municipality of Manufahi. Holarua consists of 13 hamlets, half of which are not accessible from the main road. The total population is approximately 7,000 people.

Holarua was selected as the first project site because it is geographically isolated and there is a large overlap of partners implementing nutrition promoting interventions. Over the next five years, Hamutuk plans to expand to other villages in Timor-Leste.

Contact Us

For more information please contact us, or subscribe to our mailing list.